With the 2025 season now in the books, drivers are already gearing up for the new regulatory cycle, which gets underway in just under a month. While some head into it with long-term contracts already secured, others will need to earn their future on track and prove they deserve to stay.

Among the top drivers who can sleep easy, Verstappen is certainly one of them, backed by a deal with Red Bull that runs through to 2028. Leclerc is in a similarly secure position, having signed a long-term, multi-year agreement just over a year ago.

Hamilton’s situation, however, is slightly more nuanced. Last season he put pen to paper on a multi-year contract, but the exact duration was never officially disclosed.

At the time, it was believed to run until the end of 2026, with an option that would allow him to continue into the 2027 campaign. Now, according to German outlet Bild, that agreement actually extends through 2027, with a further option in place for 2028.

The situation is also one to keep an eye on at Mercedes, where both drivers are under renewed scrutiny. Antonelli has been extended for a further year, as has Russell, whose contract is understood to include an automatic renewal clause that would be triggered upon meeting certain performance-related conditions.

McLaren’s driver line-up also looks secure. Norris is tied down on a multi-year deal, even if the exact length has never been made public, while Piastri is locked in until at least the end of 2028.

A more delicate situation surrounds Hadjar, promoted to Red Bull alongside Verstappen. He, too, will need to earn his future on track — much like most of last season’s rookies (with the exception of Bortoleto) and the only newcomer set to join the grid next year, Arvid Lindblad.

Finally, Bottas and Pérez are also set to return to the grid, having both signed multi-year deals with Cadillac.